Insurers offering plans on Obamacare marketplaces in 16 states and the District of Columbia have asked regulators for a 14% median premium increase for 2027. The request comes from firms participating in the Affordable Care Act exchanges, as detailed in a fresh Peterson-KFF analysis.
These proposed hikes reflect the financial strain on insurers as enrollment in ACA plans has reportedly sagged. The analysis covers a swath of states, underscoring a geographic breadth to the requests that could affect hundreds of thousands of policyholders.
The Peterson-KFF data specifically tracks the median requested increase across these marketplaces. It does not break down individual insurer proposals, nor does it indicate which states or companies sought the largest hikes.
If approved, the premium increases could further pressure affordability for consumers already grappling with higher health care costs. Regulators in each affected jurisdiction will weigh the requests, balancing insurer solvency against consumer access.
Critics argue that approving such hikes without clear evidence of escalating costs risks pricing out middle-income enrollees who may not qualify for subsidies.